The author is the only wife of a European astronaut so far who has worked in the area of human spaceflight. This makes the perspective of her story unique. Lena understands the ins and outs of the system and lived through it as an intense personal experience.

The crew and the other two spouses of her husband's ISS mission have supported the book and have provided information about their experience which is included in this book. My Countdown is written during the flight itself. It reads like a novel but it is a vivid account of true events told while they were happening. It is emotionally consuming it contains popular information about space science and technology the reader will come out of reading this book with a good overview of the current human spaceflight program it is inspirational in a sense that all the characters are real self-made people. My Countdown will encourage the reader to pursue their own dreams.

This is the first ever book written by the wife of an ISS astronaut. It is different from many astronaut biographies because it is written by the actual participant and not by a ghost-writer; and because it tells a story of both the crew and the spouses in one combined story.

Imagine being barred from giving your own mother one last hug when she's travelled thousands of kilometres to say goodbye as you leave for outer space for six months.

That's what happened to Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk in May 2009, moments before he prepared to blast off into space aboard a Russian spacecraft.

The incident is just one of many emotional moments recounted in "My Countdown", a new book written by Lena De Winne - wife of the European astronaut Frank De Winne, who flew with Thirsk.

Lena De Winne said she wrote her book to show the human side of space flight...

disglobes

Anyone going to the Lena DeWinne booksigning on November 3rd in Houston? I am looking for someone who could get a signed copy for me.

issman1

I was a bit taken aback by this paragraph in the Canadian Press story:

...one example of Russian officials mentality. They also considered it bad luck to have any wives near a rocket before their husbands blasted off into space.

"A year ago, people in command (were) seriously telling me: 'Do you want your husband to die at the launch?... Don't you understand the female presence causes accidents?'," she (Lena De Winne) said.

Even the head of Roscosmos, Anatoly Perminov, publicly suggested the presence of female American astronaut Peggy Whitson and her South Korean counterpart, So-yeon Yi, may have played a part in Soyuz TMA-11's ballistic re-entry in 2008.

I just ordered a signed book over the telephone with the Houston Gift Shop.

1-800-746-7724 gets you to the Spacetraders gift shop where the signing will be held.

My cost is $29.95 for the book, full cover price, typical at signings and $8.50 for shipping.

jvertrees

I just received my copy in yesterday’s mail. It is signed by Lena only. She added a very nice inscription without a personalization.

I look forward to reading the book, it sounds like a good story from a different perspective than most astronaut biographies.

Perhaps a future appearance will allow an opportunity to add Frank De Winne.

spaceman

We attended an event at Flanders House in London last night with both Lena and Frank De Winne present. Lena gave us an insight into Frank’s mission from the viewpoint of a very supportive earthbound partner. Stills and video from ISS Expeditions 20-21 were shown with a narration by Lena.

A chance to win a prize by answering some space trivia questions proved entertaining. This was followed by a book signing. I had received a copy of the book as a Christmas present and found it both interesting and enjoyable and was able to get it personally signed. We all then retired into an adjacent room for a drinks reception. Frank and Lena circulated and were able to offer answers to space and non space questions. If you haven't obtained a copy of the book yet, please do. A worthy cause, UNICEF, is being supported by its sale; it is a great book to add to your space literature collection.

BMckay

Just finished the book. I would highly recommend it. I liked her style, her message and the way the book way laid out.

I have been to a launch and have watched what the spouses go through and it agree a lot with what she says.